How to become a local councillor

Your local council has responsibility for the wellbeing of the local neighbourhood. It is local councillors, helped by the council clerk, who identify local needs. Their work falls into three main categories:

• representing the local community
• delivering services to meet local needs
• working to improve the quality of life in the local area

Local councils often work with the principal authority (for example, Cheshire East Council) and cooperate to ensure the effective delivery of services to the local community.

As a local councillor, you would have three main areas of work:

1. Attending meetings and committees of your local council and other bodies; local councillors can decide or influence which activities to support, where money should be spent, what services should be delivered and what policies should be implemented. 
2. Monitoring decisions so that they lead to efficient and effective services by reviewing how well things are working.
3. Getting involved locally: as local representatives, councillors have responsibilities towards their parishioners and local organisations i.e., bringing parishioners' concerns to the attention of Cheshire East Council. 

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) website has more information on how to become a councillor.

For more information contact the Cheshire Association of Local Councils (ChALC)

Contact details for town and parish councils within Cheshire East can be found on Town and Parish Council A – Z.